Pani Ki Gani: Modern Garhwali play/Drama about Water Conservation or Water Harvesting

(Review of ‘Pani ki Gani ’ drama  (2005) written by Gajendra Nautiyal )

           (Garhwali Drama, Kumauni Plays, Uttarakhandi Stage show, Himalayan Dramas) 

   Let us celebrate of Hundred years of Modern Garhwali Theatre!

                                        Bhishm Kukreti 

             All over world, in every region there is discussion about problems of water shortage. The future is very dark as far as water availability for all is concerned. One of the main reasons for water shortage is that people ware leaving the traditional system of water harvesting or water conservation.

         There were  traditional water conservation or water harvesting system through Kul in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; water protection or water harvesting through Naula, water conservation or water harvesting Khatri in many hill provinces, water upkeep or water harvesting through khul in Himachal and Uttarakhand; water conservation or water harvesting through Zabo in Nagaland; water management or water harvesting through Cheo Ozihi in Nagaland; Virdas, katas, Korambus and Jackwalls are other water maintenance or water harvesting systems of Indian rural regions. In Garhwal and Kumaon, making big ditches on hill Plato that is building Khal or chahel were common traditional system of water preservation or water harvesting.

   One of the prolific Garhwali theatre activist and drama writers Gajendra Nautiyal smartly, marvelously discusses the prevailing condition of water shortage in villages, towns, cities and big cities. Through this wonderful awareness play, Gajendra takes the audience to the United Nations conference on Water Conservation, New York too. Gajendra is successful in creating desire to conserve water for next dry season and for next generation too.

 The drama does not have any single story but honestly and cleverly Nautiyal creates such scenes that audience is attracted to watch the drama from beginning to the end. The stage play writer took the help of Sutradhars to connect the scenes of different regions and places very elegantly.

 The dialogues of drama for awareness for water protection are simple and easily connect to audience. Yes of course, there are dialects of Tihri Garhwal but Salanis (South Pauri Garhwal) would also understand those Tihri dialogues in the drama.

The drama style is satirical and humorous that audience digests the serious subject.

 The Playwright used traditional songs and cultural practices related to understand the importance of water management to start the drama and is marvelous example of connecting the play with the audience immediately-

               प्रथम  दृश्य [वाद्य यंत्रों की धुन के साथ मंच पर तीन चार क्लालाकर आते हैं। गीत की धुन पर ब्योली और सहेली धारापूजते हैं ]
कोर्स गीत - ब्योली हे ब्योली तेरि खुटी पड़ी गौं मा
              ब्योली हे  ब्योली, ब्योली हे  ब्योली
              पैलो काम त्वेकू, ब्योली हे  ब्योली
              पाणी भरिल्ये -ब्योली हे  ब्योली
               ब्योली हे  ब्योली, ब्योली हे  ब्योली
               पाणी की धारा , पैली पुजीले। ब्योली हे  ब्योली
              पैली पुजीले 

  This drama was staged in fifty eight villages of Devprayag Garhwal region and became so much effective that people of the region built thirty six Khali or Chehel.

Pani Ki Gani is one of the Garhwali marvelous dramas of this century for public awareness.

Definitely, the playwright Gajendra is modern hero for creating such needed awareness for water preservation.

Copyright @ Bhishm Kukreti 3/5/2013

Review on Popular Garhwali Drama, Kumauni Plays, Uttarakhandi Stage Plays, and Himalayan Dramas to be continued

   Let us celebrate of hundred years of Modern Garhwali Theatre!